The first week in the new area went by surprisingly smooth. The Elders who were in the area before us wrote down a lot of good information so we were able to plan a really good week. The UPK Elders didn't do that for Elder Gallup and me. We met some really good people.
First, I'd like to say that our apartment is really nice. It's brand new and we are only the second set of Elders to live there. It's a lot quieter than Orlando and it's very pretty. Apopka actually has hills. The country side is beautiful and so green. It was a definite piece of eye candy throughout the week.1
We met a woman named Darlene who is a recent convert. She lives at an assisted living home so we go over there regularly to visit. She's super sweet and calls us 15 times a day. We met another recent convert named Fransisco from Puerto Rico. He has a really thick accent, but you can understand what he's trying to say. Last year, his car broke down and he couldn't go to work, and that's when the missionaries came and helped him. He said God broke his car so he could hear the message of the restoration.
We met another recent convert (there are a lot) named Teresa. She lives in the thick of South Apopka, which I'll get to later, and has another incredible story. One of the things she said was that when missionaries contacted her, she usually would yell at them to go away, but this one particular time when missionaries knocked on her door, her legs wouldn't move, she broke into tears, and invited them in. Another recent convert we met was Rae. She always believed in Christ but one day something clicked and she was able to come to the knowledge herself. She knows a lot about the gospel, more than most recent converts, and more than some members I might add. One thing she said was that she could never see herself leaving the church. It has helped her too much and her co-workers say she has a "glow". Even I could see her glow. Time and time again, Elder DeVroom and I leave with a loss of words. We are shocked at how solid these people are and how well they know Jesus Christ.
We found two new investigators. A woman named Grace and her son Jacob. We think that Grace is from Haiti, she didn't speak much English, but she wanted us to come to her house on Friday. We were also able to teach a woman named Marysel who is very spiritual. She moved here from New York and always makes time to listen to the missionaries. We told her that we wanted her to have the Holy Ghost so she could have more constant peace in her home. She has 3 young children and life is hectic, but we know that she can be comforted through Christ.
One thing about South Apopka is, it's super sketchy, but I love it. Its nothing like East Orlando. We are always safe, but it definitely is a different world. I absolutely love walking through the ghetto. It's super fun. There was a member we had dinner with who said he used to hear gunshots all the time, but it's died down a lot. I'm super pumped to serve here more. Don't let that scare you though, I can handle myself.
We were extremely blessed this week. We were constantly amazed at how willing people were to meet with us. God really is hastening His work. It is such an amazing blessing and privilege to be a part of it. Im not going to go deep into detail, but as much as this week was good, it was also very hard. However, Teresa said God gives you double for your trouble. That was very evident. I know that through Christ we can conquer our afflictions. It doesn't necessarily make them go away, but our burdens can be lightened. I know that this is true.
I hope you all have an amazing week.
Much love,
Elder Poulsen
Last day with Valencia Elders
Darlene
